Jamie Pennell spent 20 years in the NZ SAS and had 4 deployments to Afghanistan.

He was awarded the NZ Gallantry star (our 2nd-highest military honour) for his role responding to the Taliban’s siege of the Kabul Intercontinental Hotel in 2011.

During his time in the SAS, he also fought alongside Willie Apiata and witnessed the events which saw him awarded his Vic Cross.

This is an incredible episode of previously untold war stories - as well as a look at the after-effects of the military on mental health, the struggle to return to normal life after service, and much more.

#nzpocast #nzmilitary #newzealand #aotearoanz

0:00 Do you need permission from the SAS to share these stories?
5:11 Fact checking Paddy Gower’s lost passport story
9:46 Making the decision to join the army
18:13 Building mental resilience via Selection for the SAS
29:47 From Selection to 11-months of training
34:07 First contact in Afghanistan
44:12 Willie Apiata and the Victoria Cross
51:02 Retelling stories from a war zone
55:00 The Kabul Intercontinental Hotel Siege
1:41:36 Coming back to the real world
1:48:40 Breaking the habit of being yourself
1:58:15 Consciously cutting ties with the military
2:05:14 Present day, love and relationships
2:06:42 Last words from Steve, Seamus, and Jamie